The imminent hatching of Ruoal'Shon's clutch was announced with a brilliant bugle, which brought the novos skittering into the sands in a rush. What hatching wasn't an adrenaline rush? Even before that bugle died away, a shrill challenging note issued forth from the huge broody red queen as her keen eyes found the inky black form of her detestable mate.
Get out! You are not welcome here! The red Geperna dragoness roared at the smaller black, who did not flinch, did not move. GET OUT!
StarShaker stared at her defiantly, standing behind the novos, who were mostly humans or humanoid enough to pass for one. Their eyes were wide open - attentive to the eight glorious Geperna eggs, and in awe of the seemingly immense size of the red queen.
He is a novo, Ruoal'Shon. He applied properly. Mezireth bespoke the red firmly. It is far too late to protest now. The eggs must hatch, and your children will choose as they see fit.
Gullible fool! Ruoal'Shon roared at the sire of the clutch, ignoring the golden queen in her fury. You think you can come here and ... The powerful red grew silent sought to banish the unwanted black from the sands. A woman stepped between the enraged mother and the oversized novo that she sought to char blacker with her breath weaponry, fearless. "Enough." Rugan growled.
Ruoal'Shon did not submit so much as to move back out of the way so that her offspring could actually get to the candidates.
From behind Ruoal'Shon's wings stepped a large purple dragon - it was huge! the size of an old-world bronze at least - who walked studiously across the soft red sands to a tall man who was native to neither Mythicalae nor the areas around Nidus Ryslen. The mage quietly studied the expression on the purple dragon's face wondering, or was he waiting?
My name is Orero'Rust. The Geperna hatchling said, opening his birth-sticky massive wings. Oraldo seemed pleased by this.
The second dragon to hatch was as quick to emerge as the purple, though he was somewhat smaller. Perhaps akin to browns in size, or a small bronze?, except he was unmistakably blue. With a gaity to his step that was true to other-worldly blues, the new Geperna practically pranced to where the few remaining demi-angels patiently waited in the lengthy line of novos.
Even if your wings fail you, Ihltae, mine will not. I promise.
"I should hope, that my wings never fail you, Ihero'Rust." The demi-angel said to the large blue before him. Could it be that the lustre that had been lacking from his feathered wings was increasing, albeit slowly, now that he had been Chosen by the agile blue?
The next hatchling burst from its shell in full view of the audience, for that is what they were as far as the hatchling cared. Bright orange hide astonished many - had this brilliant hue been seen on Ryslen's sands before? There were coppers and pinks, but had there been an orange? Of course, there were some who weren't surprised in the slightest - orange is a natural color for Geperna dragons. The brown-sized dragon danced across the sands to a young male with a dramatic flair all his own.
Esns, I am Esero'Rust, and I have Chosen you.
Two more eggs broke open, revealing two blue hatchlings. One was about the same size as Ihero, and the other was somewhat smaller - a brown's size at best. The smaller one was quicker on his feet and made his way to a Pernese lad - Ikerafe. "His name is Ikero'Rust..."
The larger blue raced across the sands to a young man who was quite familiar with speed - it was his magical talent, naturally. Epraan, I have found you at last! Epero'Rust exclaimed, nearly bowling over his Chosen.
Throughout this all, Ruoal'Shon had been fuming, and as she surveyed the three remaining eggs, one shattered with unmatched fury to expose a hatchling with deep crimson hide like her own. He was a stunning creature, lean and lithe and clearly he would be strong, though he would never be as large as she was. He stalked the novos like they were prey, stopping occasionally to stare one down, but to his mother's horror, he strode past them to stop in the dark shadow of StarShaker.
I understand you are my father, StarShaker, and I Choose you, father. I am Stero'Rust.
Ruoal'Shon roared in anger, and StarShaker roared back at her in triumph, the two of them causing many in attendance to cover their ears. Rugan roared at them both, and very quickly the noise level dropped back to acceptible and tolerable levels. With a parting shot to his 'mate', StarShaker and his bond/son Stero'Rust exited the sands.
A second purple dragon pushed free of the ivory cradle, and with feline grace walked directly to a psychicly talented young woman with unusual gray hair and jet black eyes.
Ihatmetsua... my love... the hatchling purred Come... we must talk.
The mage grinned ferally, and announced to the world: Her name is Ihaero'Rust.
The last egg fell open, revealing a dragon so dark in hue it wasn't immediately clear exactly what color it was. As the huge hatchling stepped out of the fragments of shell and walked across the sands, murmurs from the spectators confirmed what many had expected -- this hatchling was Black. This pure color had only been seen but twice before on a hatchling at Ryslen - and one of those was a Flurry dragon - even though it surely was more common at Shivran Aerd. The black dragon strode right up to the demi-angel left solo after all the other demi-angels had bonded.
Ihlha, you are my Choice... she said
"I know, Ihlero'Rust. I know." The girl seemed to be glowing with pride.
The assembled people quickly disbursed, leaving only the clutching mothers and Rugan with her trio of dragons there with the shards of Geperna-dragon eggshell.
"Time to go home." Rugan said bluntly, and not one of her bonds argued (not that they would have).